Adjustable fastening means



v ent invention `in Ving tapes, novel stop" elements `and novel .like

'of these types of elements. It is,

UNITED 'STA 'rEs PATE-NT OFFICE Y Nom. s'ra'rmx, or mvmG'roN-UroN-HUDSON, NEW Yom:

.A1-)JU STABLE FASTENING MEANS Y Application led March 16, 1829. Serial No. 347,472.

My present invention relates to adjustable supporting means or devices, particularly of the sort embodying a series of stops or the generally of metal, supportedby a supporting tape, and a slider adapted to slide over thegsto s carried by said supporting tape for'adjustable engagement with any desired one of said stops, whereb said supporting means are readily adjustable for convenient use under varied condltions. It is an object of the present invention to provide articles of the general character specified which are simple in construction, which may be readily and conveniently fabricated and assembled, and

which embody novel supporting tapesfnovel metallic or equivalent stop elements and novel sliders, the devices of the present invention constituting in combination novel adjustable supporting means of the general character specified above characterized by their simplicity in4 construction, the convenience and economy with which they may be fabricated and assembled, and their convenience in use, such devices having a wide range of adaptability and an equally wide range of devices in connection with which they. may be conveniently and satisfactorily employed'. Other objectsand advantages of the devices of the present invention, particularly as exemplified in the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the same, will in part be pointed out in detail hereinafter Land will in part be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. v

In the accompanying specification I shall describe vand in the annexed drawing show several illustrative embodiments of the presthe form of novel supportsliders, also Vnovel combinations of-a'll three however, to be clearly understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof hereinshown and describedfor purposes of illustration only.

Referring now to the drawing in which I have shown the 'aforesaid illustrative .embodiments ofthe present invention:

. Figlisa'plan view f; the u per face of a.y

slider constituting one of the a oresaid i,llusf trative embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1 of the-drawing;

. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the slider illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing;

Fig. 4 is a side view ofthe slider illustrated vin Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, said View showing the same in stop-engaging position; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the slider shown in Figs. 1 'to 4, inclusive, of the drawing taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 of the drawing showing the slider in nonengaging position with` the stop elements;

ig. 6 is an end view of the slider shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,y of the drawing; Fig. 7 slider shown in 'F ig. 5 of the drawing, said view being taken along line 7 7 of said Iig-- ure of the drawing;

Fig. 8 is a top' plan View of a modified form of slider showing the same applied to a novel form of supporting tape and novel types of stop elements, also constituting illustrati-ve -embodiments of the articlesA of the present invention, the tape and applied stop elements being shown broken away or in frag- I nentary condition; .l

"Fig. 9 isa longitudinal sectional view taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 8 of the drawmg showingtheslider illustrated in Fig.,8 of the drawing in stop-engaging position, in which Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along lline 11-11 of Fig. 8 of thedrawing showing a novel form'of stopfor staple element apwhich -latteris'comp'ressed by the sto s or `staples applied thereto so as to provide inter- Fig. `12 is a cross.A sectional view taken l alongline 12--12 ofFig-.S of the drawing Showing the supportingvtapein its' normal or is a transverse sectional view of the plied to the novel form of supporting tape 5 'uncompressed condition free of the com? pressing stop or staples.

Referring now to the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention, and

with. particular reference to the drawing showing the same, and limiting the present discussion for the time being to the novel one end of a belt, the ends ofapair of suspenders, the end of a strap intended to go around the knee portion of a pair of knick` ers, etc.- etc. It may here be stated that the devices of the present invention have a wide range of applicability intended for use Wherever supportingor fastening means are intended to be adjustable in a convenient and expeditious manner for adjusting the length of a fabric, leather or other member.

. The main body portion or plate 21 has two channel members 26 and 27 struck in from `the same thusproviding the indented or inset portions 28 and-29, respectively. The portions 26 and 27 constitute channels or guiding members for receiving the edge portions of the supporting tape and stops or staples carried thereby, as will subsequently be described in considerable detail. It may here be stated that while the channel or guiding members 26 and 27 may have any suitable cross sectional configuration, I prefer to have' the -same have substantially the rounded or hook-shaped configuration or cross section shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of thev drawing.

The main body portion or plate 21 is pref-I erably provided with a 'slot or equivalent opening'30 adjacent the central portion of the same. Preferably this is done by striking out the lugs or bearings 31 and 32 which serve to receive and support in oscillatable or pivoted position the operating member substantially described. It may here be stat-v ed that the lugs or bearings 31 and 32 may be perforated with a small circular opening or the like or may be provided with a depression in the form' of a circular or like depression adapted to receive the pins or small stub shafts carried by the operating member, the metal of which the lugsor bearings 31 and 32 are made being preferably springy enough `to permit the operating member and the pins or small stub shafts associated therewith to be sprung into position in the lopenings or depressions with which the lugs or bearings 31 and 32 are preferably provided.

33 designates the opera-ting member, the

direction of movement o the thumb or other finger of the operator' same comprising the external or handle portion 34 and the lower or engaging portion 35 which is adapted to extend into the slot or other opening 30 for engagement withthe stops or staples carried by the supporting tape, as will'subsequently be described in considerable detail herein. The operating member 33 carries a plurality of pins or stub shafts 36 and 37. It may here be stated that the parts 34, 35, 36 and 37 may be struck up in a single piece or operation by a suitable stamping, casting or other desirable metal Working operation. The arrangement is such that the pins or small stub shafts 36 and 37 are received by the openings or depressions in the lugs or bearings 31 and 32 so as to i be supported therein in an oscillatable or pivoted position, the insertion of the operating member 33 being rendered possible by the springy characteristics of the metal of which the parts 21 and 33, or bot-h, are made.

`This completes the description of the form of slider constituting one of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, 1n-

elusive, of the drawing. The manner of assembling the slider, as well as its construction, has, it is believed, been fully described in the foregoing portions of the specification. The manner in which such slider operates will, it is believed, -be clear from the foregoing description but may be brieiiy summarized as follows: y

With the slider'in the position of the parts illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of the drawing, the operating member 34 is in engaging position. In this position of the parts the lower end engages the stop or staple elements carried by the supporting tape, all as will be shortly described, and wedges between the adjoining pair of the stop or staple elements against the inter? vening portion of the supporting tape. This Wedging action takes place at the limit of its movement, which is restricted to an angle of from labout 90 degrees to about 100 degrees, more or less, so that the tape is located permanently in any adjusted posi-A tion as desired. y

The tape may be released by an upward movement of the catch or operating member 33 in a rotational or pivotal direction oppositeto the direction in which the operating member 33 was pivoted or rotated into locking position. The open or released po sition of the operating member 33 is shown in Figs. 5 and `7 of the drawing. In this position the operating or catch member 33 is maintained by the pressure of the thumb or other finger of the wearer or operator. Upon 'releasing such pressure the operating member or catch 33 will still be maintained in non-v position ineither' e the slider 20 until engaging or non-wedging lil) llO

or wearer is utilized to depress the catch or operating member 33 into locking or wedging position, as shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4.and 6 of porting tape carrying the same, the more positive becomes the locking or wedging action by the catch or operating member 33.A

In the reverse direction, that is, in the .direction where the belt or other device instead of being stretched tighter is loosened or contracted by moving the slider forward, the catch is actuated and released from locking or wedging position so that the slider is thus brought automatically into nonlocking o'r non-wedging position.

It will thus be seen that the slider shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, of the drawing is freely actuable into non-locking or `inonwedging position by the proper movement of the slider 20, as a whole and once in `-such position is maintained'therein until the catch or operating member 33 is positively activated so as to be brought into locking or wedging position.

This. completes the description of the aforesaid illustrative embodiment of sliders of the present invention as illustrated in Figs.

1 to 7 inclusive, of the drawing. It .will be noted'that such sliders are simple in construction and may be readily fabricated and assembled. It will be noted also that such sliders possess the numerous advantages in operation and in use set forth earlier in this specification.

Referring now to the form of slider illustrated in Figs'. 8 and 9 of the drawing and to theforms of supporting tape and associated stops or staples illustrated in Figs. 8, 10, 1l and l2 of the drawing, the slider there illustrated and` generally designated by reference character 20 is constructed somewhat similarly to the slider illustrated in Figs. 1` to 7, inclusive, of the drawing, having the main taining portion 21.

body portion 21. the lugs or bearings l31 and 32 defining the slot or other opening 30 and the operating member or catch 33 which has the outer or handle -portion 34 and the inner or stop-engaging portion The parts j ust referred to are substantially similar to or even identical with the corresponding partsv of the slider illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, of the drawing. The principal difference is that the slider 20 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawing is .provided with a spring-receiving and rebending over' a portion of the main body preferably formed by portionor plate 21. 40 lindicates a leaf or other spring clamped or held in position between t-he parts 21 and 21" and having the slightly upturned end portion 4 0' which serves to engage `and thus maintain in-sto engaging position the lower end 35 'of t e catch or opera-ting member 33' within the slot or other opening 30 as more'clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing.

This completes the description of the second form of slider constituting one of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in Fi s. 9 and 10 of the drawing. The manner o assembling such form of slider, as also the manner yof constructing the same, will readily appear from t-he foregoing portions of the specilication, corresponding as they do to the form of slider already described and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7,- inclusive, of the drawing.

Likewise the manner of operating the slider is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing will readily appear from the foregoing portions of the specification and may be briefly summarized as follows:

With this form of slider the rotational or pivotal movement of the catch or operating member 33 is restricted by the leaf or other spring 4:0 which is engaged by the catch or operating member 33 at the portionAO' of the sprin g 40. By means of the spring pressure exerted by the leaf or other spring 4:0 at the forwardportion of the same against the lower portion 35 of the catch or operating member 33, free movement of the catchor operating member 33 out of contact with the stops or staples carried by the supporting tape vshortly to be described is prevented..

Accordingly, the slide may be moved freely in a tightening direction of the belt or other device to which this form of the invention is applied, but for movement in the reverse di'- rection, that is, in the direction of loosening the belt or other` device to which this form of the invention is applied, the lower or engaging end 35' of the catch or operating member 33 mustV be lifted out of the Vslot or other opening 3 3 by pressure against the end 40 of the leaf or other spring 40. In other Words, the form of slider 20 illustrated in Figs. 8

and 9 of the drawing, being spring actuated,

will by means of the engaging end 35 of the catch or operating member 33' retain contact with the stops or staples until such engaging end 35 is raised by pressing-the upper part of the catch or operating member 33 back towardsthe front end of the slider against the pressure exerted by the end 40` of the leaf or other `spring 40,5whereupon the belt or other-- device to which this formof the inventionis applied can be extended and the slider permitted to move freely in either direction.

It may be stated that with this form ofthe slider illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 ofthe drawing, as with the `form of 'slider illustrated in web portions 52 and 53 preferably constituting a continuationA of each other so as inl slider 20, as already indicated, which movement I render possible by the. action of the operating member 33 against the end 40 of the leaf or other spring 4G against the pressure or such spring, the belt or other device to which this form of slider is applied may be readily contracted into the desired adjusted position.

This completes the description of the second of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention. It will be noted that'this form of slider, like the first form of slider described is simple in construction and may be readily and conveniently fabricatedl and assembled. It will be noted also that this form of the device, like the form of the device already described, possess the numerous advantages in construction, mode of assembly, operation, use and applicability referred to in the earlier portions of this specification.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 10, 11 and 12 of the drawing showing the aforesaid novel forms of supporting tapes and of stops or staples constituting the remaining ones of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention, indicates generally the aforesaid novel form of supporting Vtape which preferably comprises a cord 51 with which is associated one or more, here shown as a plurality of longitudinally disposed web portions 52 and 53, there being a substantially tubular portion 54 surrounding the cord'51 and attached to the web portions 52 and 53. I prefer for convenience in operation and for the increase in `eiiiciency and resulting supporting tape 50 that the web portions 52 and 53 and the tubular portion 54 vshall be made in a single weaving operation by feeding the cord 51 into a suitable Weaving machine, all 'as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. In this way thetubular portion 54l Acontaining, the cord 51 and the web portions- 52 andl 53 will be integrally wovenin what is preferably a single Weaving operation, the

effect to constitute a single web or tape.

. indicates ,a series ofstops or staples Vforming one of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments ofthe present invention.A

' These stops or staples which are more clearly indicated in Figs. 8, 10 and 11 of the drawing are preferably made of a suitable wire which may be round or oval in cross.'

lwill,

strong to substantially prevent any displacel ment of the stops or staples 60 even under relatively hardv usage of the devices of the present invention.

This desired result is aided by the fact that in the application of the stops or staples 60 to the beaded portion 55 of the supporting tape 50 as a result of the clamping action of the portions 62 and 63 in association with the central portion 61 of which each of the stops of staples 6() is preferably made up, the beaded portion 54 of the supporting tape 5() is bulgedl out at the portions 55 intermediate successive stops or staples 60.

It may here be stated that I prefer to makel the stops or staples 60 of wire, round or elliptical in cross section, since such forms of the'stops or staples 60 will facilitate the operation of the device and render the same smoother and more convenient in operation. However, I may vuse stops or staples which are fiat as by being substantially rectangular or square in cross section. In general, so that the supporting tape 50 eariying the stops or staples 60 may be suiciently flexible, I prefer that the stops or staples 60 shall be so spaced that there is between them a distance of at least about the diameter On the or width of each of the staples 60. other hand, in order to assure easy and convenient engagement between the edges or lateral portions 52 and 53 of the supporting tape 55 and the channel or guide members with which the sliders are provided and Whiehhave the rounded receiving corners 26', 26" and 27 and 27, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, I prefer that the stops or staples60 shall not be spaced a greater distance apart Vthan corresponds t0 about two or three diameters or widths of `such staples.

This completes the description of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention. The manner of assembling and using such embodiments will, it is believed, appear clear from the foregoing descriptiomtogether with the construction of such embodiments. Similarly the manner of using such embodiments in' connection with one or the other of the forms of sliders illustrated inthe drawing and described in the. preceding portions of the specification it is believed, be equally. clear Ifrom -lthe foregoin description but may be brief- 1y elaborate as follows:

With the `forms of stops or staples described above, the engagement of the same with the lower or enga ing` en-d's of the catches or operating mem ers of the respective sli ders will be positive, while in the free or disengaged position such lower ends of the catches or operating members of such sliders will slide freely over the stops or staples due to their substantially circular or elliptical cross section. The supporting tape is ideally suited to receive and retain in iixed position the forms of stops or staples just described.

The device asa whole is ideally suited for the designated purposes, being simple in construction, readily, conveniently and economically assembled and smooth in operation. The devices o f the present invention furthermore possess a wide range of appli? cabilitywhich gives them important fields of usefulness as applied to a wide variety of different kinds of devices. Other superiorities and advantages of the devices of the present invention in construction, mode of assembly, operation and use, las Well as diiierent types of articles to which the devices of the present invention may be conveniently and successfully applied, will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the' present invention relates.

What I claim as my invention is Y 1.- A supporting tape for metallic fasteners, stops, staples, and the like, comprisin a cord and a substantially tubular integra y -woven member surrounding the same and Ahaving a lateral woven web portion associated therewith and extending from each side thereof, said cord and surrounding woven member being central of 'said laterally extending wovenweb portions.

2.V A supportingtape for metallicfasteners, stops, staples and the like, comprising a cord and' a substantiall tubular integral woven member surroun ing the same and having a lateral web portion woven integrally therewith and extending from each side having a laterally extendin thereof, said cord and surrounding woven member being central of said laterally ex v linear, cross-sectional contour a plurality of inwardly exten 11g clamping ing an comprising a member of `curvilinear crosssectional contour provided with a plurality of.

inwardly extending clamping portions applied in clamping position to the substantia tubular integrally woven member. i c 5. A supporting tape for metallic fasteners, stops, staples and the like, comprising a cord and a substantially tubular integrally woven member surrounding the samel and having a plurality of laterally extending woven web portions associated therewith, in

imY

combination with a series of spaced stop elements each comprising a member of curv1 linear cross-sectional contour providedwith a plurality of inwardly extending clamping portions applied in clamping position to sai substantially woven surrounding member.

6. A supporting tape for metallic fastenersfstops, staples and the like, comprisinA a cord and a substantially tubular integrly Woven member surrounding the same and having .a laterally extending web portion Woven integrall therewith, 1n combination with aseries o spaced stop elements each comprising a member of curvilinear crosssectional contour provided with a plurality of inwardly. extending clamping portions applied in clamping position to the substantially tubular integrally woven member.

7. A supporting tapeY for metallic fasteners, stops, staples and the like, comprisin a cord and a substantially tubular integra y Woven member surrounding the same and having a plurality of laterally extending Woven web portions associated therewith, in combination with a series of spaced stop elements each comprising a member of cur-. vllinear cross-sectional contour provided with a plurality of inwardly extending clamping portions applied in clamping position-to said substantially 'woven surrounding ,memben 8. A supportingtape for metallic asteners, stops, staples andthe like, comprising a `cord anda substantially tubular integrally woven member surrounding` the same and having a plurality -of laterally extending woven web portions associated therewith, in

combination with a series of spaced stop elements each cbmprising a member of curvirovided W1th portions applied in clamping position to sai substantially woven surroundlng member, in combination with a slider for adjustable supporting means and the like, comprisin in combination, a supporting plate member v tpening therein and a plurality of laterally sposed guide members associated therewith, and an operating member pivotal# ly mountedf thereon adjacent saidopening and -having a portion thereof adapted to pro'- ject into said opening, together with a spring acting against said operatin member adjacent said projecting portion ereoftomam- .m

tain the latter in projectin position in` said opening so as to maintain t e same normally in engagement with a predetermined one of said stop elements. 5 In testimony, whereof, I have signed `my name to this specification this 13th yday of Mar., 1929.

NOEL STATHAM. 

